Jhumpa Lahiri takes Frank OConnor International Short Story Award

Jhumpa Lahiri took the Frank OConnor International Short Story Award outright, bypassing a shortlist. The longlisted authors surely must feel some disappointment that not even a shortlist was announced, because shortlisting can help boost the profile of a short story writer and increase sales. Apparently the judges were so certain they did not want to raise hopes, but hope raising is always part of the risk. I think they should have gone ahead and shortlisted simply because the process requires it and because of the benefits to authors that need the publicity. But then, again, highlighting little known authors hardly seems the focus when an author like Jhumpa Lahiri wins. A blurb from the judges:

“With a unanimous winner at this early stage we decided it would be a sham to compose a shortlist and put five other writers through unnecessary stress and suspense. Not only were the jury unanimous in their choice of Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth as the winner, they were unanimous in their belief that so outstanding was Lahiri’s achievement in this book that no other title was a serious contender.”